Youth Sports Commission Specialist

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by providing coordination, technical assistance, research, and contractor support for the Blue Ribbon Commission (Commission) on the Development of a California Department of Youth Sports or an Equivalent Centralized Entity, established under the Youth Sports for All Act (AB 749). The Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) serves as a key support person to the Health Program Specialist II (HPS II), ensuring coordinated planning, communication, documentation, data collection, and preparation of materials to advance Commission activities and the development of the final report to the Legislature and Governor. In-state travel is required up to 10% of the time.

The Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch (NPAB) is part of the Center for Healthy Communities (CHC). We are dedicated to advancing community health and well-being by addressing systemic inequities, promoting equitable access to resources, and strengthening the social drivers of health that allow communities to thrive. At the same time, CHC strives to foster an internal culture where equity, mattering, psychological safety, psychological agency, and belonging are prioritized.

This is a 12-month Limited Term Full-Time position that may be extended or become permanent.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Before appointment to this position, you must first obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the Health Program Specialist I exam:

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Telework Information

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Special Requirements

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control #(535018) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application . Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers Account at Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email View email address on us.fitly.work for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Excellent communication both written and oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Self-motivated and strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of social marketing and public relations strategies.
• Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships.
• Ability to interact effectively and achieve results with internal staff and external partners including academia, and local and state health departments.
• Experience working with multiple levels of staff including executive management
• Experience with project coordination and monitoring
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment while handling multiple competing priorities and shifting expectations.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) will be used to both pre-screen applicants and score candidates invited to interview for the HPS I position. The SOQ is a narrative discussion, no more than two-pages in length in 12-point Arial font, that addresses the following:

Health program administration refers to the practice of managing and overseeing the operations of healthcare or public health programs to ensure efficient delivery of health services. Significant health programs include but are not limited to major initiatives addressing key health needs in a population. These programs typically have broad impact, substantial resources, and focus on prevention, education, treatment, or policy. Please describe in detail your health program administration experience within your current/previous jobs. Please include:

1. The job(s) in which you performed these duties and the start and end dates (month and year) of each job.
2. If you’ve had major/independent responsibility (as a lead or in another independent role) for a significant health program and the duties performed.
3. Describe the type of organization where you managed the significant health program. Provide details on the:

• Type of organization and size
• Complexity of health program and scope
• Functions and duties of the program
• Staff you oversaw and their roles
• Community or clients served

1. Relevant experience with program planning, evaluation, and making recommendations to management.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) instructions below at end of posting . Applications received without a written response to the SOQ may be rejected.